2025 First Amendment Live Classroom

The First

amendment

You know you have the right to free speech, but it is so much more than that. Break out your shovel because we are digging into the first amendment

Start

Summary

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects five key freedoms:Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Freedom of the Press Freedom of Assembly Freedom to Petition the Government These rights help protect free expression and democracy, but they aren’t unlimited—some restrictions exist to prevent harm. Go on now, pick up your shovel!

Before we dig in

Let's review some relevant vocabulary

Vocabulary

Amicus Curiae

Enjoin

Infringe

Sedition

Now you are ready for a closer look...

Documemt analysis

You understand it, but do you really "get" it?

Documemt analysis

Now we are going to practice analyzing the Bill of Rights!

Analysis of the Bill of Rights

Purpose

Subject

Speaker

Tone

Occasion

Audience

I wonder what else we can analyze...

Asynchronous? Click here for instructions

Your turn

On the next two pages you will find 6 primary sources you can choose from to analyze (the first is the Bill of Rights which we completed together). Review the titles and keep in mind which one you would like to know more about.

You have your shovel, you know how to use it, now dig!

Timeline

1789

Bill of Rights

1798

Alien and Sedition Acts

1866

Petition for Universal Sufferage

1943

Mandate in West Virginia v. Barnette

1946

Amicus Curiae Brief from ACLU to the Supreme Court

1963

Head of the Civil Rights March on Washington

1966

Tinker v. Des Moines Testimony

off you go!

Paste in the Zoom chat which document you would like to work with. I will place you in a breakout room and send your group the link to the Padlet. When the timer is up you will rejoin the main room and I will share out what each group completed.

Asynchronous Learners

Click Here for the Padlet

Please select a document from the 6 primary sources and fill out at least 3 of the SOAPSTone categories for your document.

Click Here for the Padlet

Click Here for the Padlet

Alien and Sedition Acts

AC Brief

Mandate in WV

Click Here for the Padlet

Click Here for the Padlet

Click Here for the Padlet

Take me back to the source options

I did the Padlet, but want a challenge

Tinker Testimony

Leaders of the CR March

Petition for Sufferage

You struck gold!

As we wrap up our excavation of the First Amendment, it’s clear that the freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition are the bedrock of our democracy. Like careful archaeologists, we’ve sifted through the layers of history to uncover the meaning and impact of these rights. But remember—our exploration doesn’t end here! The First Amendment is a living artifact, constantly unearthed and reinterpreted in new contexts. So keep digging, keep questioning, and keep uncovering the truth—because the deeper you go, the more you’ll discover!

Want more challenge? Click on the link to play a matching game with the documents you reviewed

Click below to review on Docs Teach

Click below to review on Docs Teach

Don't Tread on Me

in·​fringe in-ˈfrinj infringed; infringing Synonyms of infringe transitive verb : to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another infringe a patent

The speaker is the First United States Congress, which drafted the Bill of Rights in 1789. James Madison played a key role in proposing and advocating for these amendments.

Click below to review on Docs Teach

The tone of the Bill of Rights is firm, authoritative, and declarative. The amendments are written in a formal legal style, emphasizing clarity and certainty in defining the rights of the people.

Click below to review on Docs Teach

The Bill of Rights was created in response to concerns from Anti-Federalists who feared that the new U.S. Constitution gave too much power to the federal government. To address these concerns and ensure the protection of individual liberties, the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1791.

The Bill of Rights was designed to protect individual freedoms and limit the power of the federal government. It guarantees fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and fair legal procedures.

The subject of the Bill of Rights is the protection of individual rights and civil liberties against government infringement. It outlines key freedoms and legal protections for citizens.

Stop! In the Name of the Law!

en·​join in-ˈjȯin en- forbid, prohibit was enjoined by conscience from telling a lie to prohibit by a judicial order : put an injunction on a book had been enjoined prior to publication

Click below to review on Docs Teach

Click below to review on Docs Teach

Friend of the Court

amicus cu·​ri·​ae -ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌī -ˈku̇r-, -i-ˌē pluralamici curiae : one (such as a professional person or organization) that is not a party to a particular litigation but that is permitted by the court to advise it in respect to some matter of law that directly affects the case in question

Click below to review on Docs Teach

The primary audience was the American people, particularly those who were worried about potential government overreach. The document also served to reassure state governments and encourage them to support the new Constitution.

Resistance is Futile

se·​di·​tion si-ˈdi-shən: incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority